How to Nurse a Significant Other's Cold at Home

Medically reviewed by David Nazarian, MD

Last Updated: October 15, 2022 References

A cold is a very common type of upper respiratory infection that can be caused by a variety of different viruses. There’s no cure for a cold, but there are things you can do to help a loved one with a cold feel better. You can help make your significant other’s recovery process easier by assessing their needs, treating their symptoms, and keeping them comfortable.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Assessing Their Needs

1
Find out if they need help. If you live with your significant other or if they live alone, the answer to this question may be obvious. But if they live with family, friends, or roommates, they may already be getting the help they need. The only way to be sure is to ask. Even if someone else is caring for your loved one, you might be able to help by stopping by with food or medicine.
2
Ask them how they’re feeling. This is a good way to let your significant other know that you are concerned about their wellbeing. More importantly, talking to them about how they feel can help you figure out what kinds of symptoms they are having and what kind of help they need.
- People sometimes have trouble describing how they feel when they are sick. Try asking about specific symptoms (for example, “Do you have a headache?” or “Is your throat sore?”).
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3
Take their temperature. One of the most important things to find out is whether or not they have a fever, and if so, how high it is. Take your significant other’s temperature with an oral thermometer.
- Call your loved one's doctor if their temperature is 103° F (39.4° C) or higher.^{[1]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- If they have a fever that is accompanied by severe headache, skin rash, stiff neck, mental confusion, unusual sensitivity to light, vomiting, chest pain, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, pain when urinating, or seizures, seek immediate medical assistance.^{[2]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
4
Ask them what they need. Depending on how they are feeling, your significant other may want or need different things at different times. The best way to find out what they need is to ask. People are not always communicative when they are sick, so help them out by asking specific questions (like “Do you want to get some sleep?” “Do you need more medicine?” or “Are you hungry?”).
- Be considerate—don’t check in so often that they can’t get any rest! It doesn’t hurt to ask how often they would like you to check in. If they are sleeping or trying to get to sleep, don't bother them.
- If they are taking medication for their cold symptoms, check the directions on the bottle to find out how often to give them a new dose. If it’s getting close to time for the next dose, it may be a good idea to check in and see if they would like to take some more.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Treating Their Symptoms

1
Treat their nasal congestion. Nasal congestion is one of the most common cold symptoms. It is particularly important to treat congestion because it causes discomfort, can aggravate or contribute to other symptoms (like sore throat and cough), and can make it difficult for the cold sufferer to sleep. One or a combination of the following remedies can help ease nasal congestion:^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Try an over-the-counter saline spray. Saline sprays can help clean out and soothe the nasal passages.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  David Nazarian, MD
  Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
- Use a cool-mist vaporizer or a humidifier to increase the humidity in the room where your significant other is resting. Extra moisture in the air is soothing and can help clear out congestion.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  David Nazarian, MD
  Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
- Over-the-counter decongestants and cold medications can offer some relief. Be sure to follow the package directions carefully.
2
Treat their sore throat. A sore throat is often one of the first symptoms of a cold, and it may be aggravated by nasal congestion. Try one or more of these methods to reduce sore throat pain:^{[6]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Dissolve ¹⁄₄–¹⁄₂ teaspoon (1.2–2.5 mL) of salt in warm water and ask them to gargle it.
- Very hot or very cold liquids and foods can also soothe a sore or scratchy throat. Offer them hot tea with honey and lemon, ice chips, or an ice pop.
- Try over-the-counter cough drops or throat sprays containing menthol or numbing agents.
3
Treat their cough. Throat irritation and congestion can cause a cough. Treating the sore throat and nasal congestion may relieve cough symptoms. You can also try over-the-counter cough medicines, like NyQuil Cough^{[7]
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Research source}, Delsym^{[8]
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Research source}, or Robitussin^{[9]
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- Coughing is the body's natural way of getting mucous out of the lungs. Only give your significant other a cough suppressant if the cough is causing them pain.
4
Treat their aches and pains. Colds can cause headaches and body aches. These symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Never give aspirin to anyone under the age of 18 unless you are instructed to do so by a physician. In rare cases, children and teenagers can have a dangerous and potentially fatal reaction to aspirin.^{[11]
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  Research source}
5
Treat their fever. A fever is one of the body’s methods of fighting infection, but high fevers can be uncomfortable or even dangerous. If your significant other has a fever below 102° F (39.89° C), the best thing they can do is rest and stay hydrated. If their fever is higher than 102° F (39.89° C), you can reduce the fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.^{[12]
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Research source}
- Before giving your significant other acetaminophen, make sure they have not recently taken another medication that contains acetaminophen in order to avoid an accidental overdose. Acetaminophen is a common ingredient in over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, so it’s important to check for it in the ingredient labels of all over-the-counter medications before taking them.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  David Nazarian, MD
  Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
6
Keep them hydrated. It’s easy for someone with a cold to become dehydrated. Give them clear liquids like water, broth, or juice.^{[14]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Alcohol and caffeinated beverages like coffee and soda can make dehydration worse and interfere with sleep.
- Chicken soup is a traditional cold remedy that is hydrating, nourishing, soothing on the throat, and easy on the stomach. Hot broth can also help loosen up congestion and clear stuffy nasal passages. Try this simple and comforting recipe for chicken soup.
7
Encourage them to rest. Rest and sleep are crucial for helping the body heal.^{[15]
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Expert Source

David Nazarian, MD
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} If your significant other is having trouble sleeping, treating other cold symptoms and creating a restful and comfortable environment for them can help.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Some cold medications contain ingredients that cause drowsiness and can help a cold sufferer get a good night’s sleep.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Keeping Them Comfortable

1
Make sure they have the things they need close by. You can help your significant other a lot just by making sure whatever they need is in reach. Keep tissues, water, medications, a thermometer, blankets, reading material, or whatever else they might want in the room where they are resting.
2
Keep their space quiet and comfortable. Make sure they can rest on a bed or couch with clean sheets, pillows, and blankets. Keep noise to a minimum. If they are trying to sleep, keep the room dark. Make sure they are not too hot or too cold.
3
Keep them occupied. While rest and sleep are very important to recovery, most people will spend a lot of time feeling bored and frustrated when they are sick. While your significant other is awake, find ways to help keep their spirits up.
- Put on a favorite movie or TV show.
- Play music they enjoy.
- Bring them books or magazines to read. If they are feeling too sick to focus on reading, offer to read to them or play an audio book.
- Offer your company and conversation.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

When to Seek Medical Care

1
Talk to their doctor if their symptoms get worse. The common cold generally doesn’t require treatment from a doctor, but if your significant other’s symptoms get worse or don’t subside after 7 days, call their doctor. They may prescribe medication that can help alleviate their symptoms.^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Ask your significant other for permission to contact their doctor.
- If you aren’t married, you may not be able to receive information about their medical history from their doctor, but you can still get their advice on what to do.
- If their fever gets higher than 101.3 °F (38.5 °C), contact their doctor.
2
Bring them to a doctor if they have trouble breathing. If the cough comes with shortness of breath or is accompanied by a fever, fainting, or ankle swelling, take your significant other to see a doctor.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- A cold can turn into bronchitis or pneumonia, which can be serious if they aren’t treated promptly.
- Bring them to an emergency room if they’re having serious difficulty breathing or are getting lightheaded.
3
Seek medical care if they’re expelling bright green mucus. If your significant other is coughing up or blowing their nose and producing bright green mucus, it could be a sign that they’ve developed a sinus or lung infection. Infections need to be treated by antibiotics, so bring them to an urgent care clinic or their doctor.^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- You can go to an emergency room if you can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment.

Expert Q&A

Question

What medicines should I give my significant other while they have a cold?

David Nazarian, MD
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
Dr. David Nazarian is a board certified Internal Medicine Physician and the Owner of My Concierge MD, a medical practice in Beverly Hills California, specializing in concierge medicine, executive health and integrative medicine. Dr. Nazarian specializes in comprehensive physical examinations, IV Vitamin therapies, hormone replacement therapy, weight loss, platelet rich plasma therapies. He has over 16 years of medical training and facilitation and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. He completed his B.S. in Psychology and Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles, his M.D. from the Sackler School of Medicine, and a residency at Huntington Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of the University of Southern California.

David Nazarian, MD

Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine

Expert Answer

If they have a fever or are feeling pain, try giving them acetaminophen to help. If they feel congested, try using an over-the-counter decongestant or saline spray.

Warnings

Never try to treat a cold with antibiotics unless they’re prescribed by a doctor. Colds are caused by viruses, which are not affected by antibiotics. Taking antibiotics for a cold is not only ineffective, but can actually be harmful.^{[21]
X
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} However, colds that are accompanied by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, may need to be treated with antibiotics.

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If your significant other’s cold symptoms are extremely severe, get worse, or last longer than 10 days, encourage them to see a doctor. Colds are usually not dangerous, but they can lead to more severe secondary infections, like bronchitis or pneumonia.^{[22]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}

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If your significant other takes prescription medications for other health conditions, always call a doctor before giving them over-the-counter medications to make sure they’re safe to take.^{[23]
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MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
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If your significant other has a weakened immune system or chronic respiratory condition, call their doctor at the first sign of a cold for guidance.

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